Our take: Good neighbors get involved in their community

In the accompanying comic, we refer to Tina Gleim — in good-natured fun — as The Lone Stranger.

Like the fictional old West figure, she's a lone hero standing against lawlessness.

But in real life, she's no stranger to her northern York County community.

She and her husband own a 40-acre farm. She's treasurer for the Wellsville Frontier Days — which sponsors riding events, carnivals and fun rodeos (including one coming up on Memorial Day).

In other words, she's a neighbor, a good citizen, someone who cares about her community.

By now you're no doubt familiar with the tale of how she thwarted an alleged bank robbery April 24 at the PNC in Rossville. She hopped in her old Chevy S-10, pursued an alleged robber, and ended up ramming his vehicle. (The suspect, of course, is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.)

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In the aftermath, it's been noted that this was a pretty dangerous thing to do. The suspect might have been armed. Any time vehicles collide, there is potential for injury or death.

Duly noted.

And police have said that they don't encourage people to engage in such crime-fighting measures.

Also duly noted.

But we still think what Ms. Gleim did was remarkable — if not downright heroic.

Too often in this world of strangers people disengage from civic responsibility.

It's not my job.

It's none of my business.

I could get hurt.

My family might be endangered.

There could be financial repercussions — legal repercussions.

All probably true — depending on the incident — and all rational reactions in an overly litigious society.

And yet it is this very attitude that corrodes our society and often allows crime and evil to prevail.

This is the reason Jerry Sandusky was able to victimize youngsters for decades.

This is the reason children are beaten and abused by parents and "care" givers.

This is the reason drug-peddling gangs control and terrorize neighborhoods.

It's because too many people are afraid to "get involved." They're too intimidated by fear to report crimes or testify against criminals.

They're frozen by cynicism, or by feelings of helplessness and futility.

But most people really want more — for themselves and their community. They want to stand up. They want to find the strength to do so. But instead, they do so vicariously through comic book and movie superheroes.

Well, we don't have to be superheroes to get involved. We don't need tights or masks or alter egos and special powers or skills.